Arroyo hails 'dead' policeman a living hero

Riot police were praised for their restraint in the Manila riots

In this story: Slumped to the ground 'I fell unconscious' RELATED STORIES, SITES

By CNN's Amabelle Layug

MANILA, Philippines -- A policeman thought to have been beaten to death by pro-Estrada rioters on Tuesday, has been called a 'living hero' by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The president praised policeman Grant Fausto L. Savedia for not firing his gun as a violent mob beat him with rocks and clubs during Tuesday's riots, and hailed him as a role model for the government's maximum tolerance policy in dealing with the rioters.

Savedia, 26, was discharged from an orthopedic hospital in Manila on Wednesday after being treated for superficial wounds and an injury in his right leg.

The rioters marched to the palace in a show of support for former president Joseph Estrada, who was forced from office and has since been detained in jail, charged with economic plunder.

Armed with knives, homemade guns and rocks, the mob grew more violent as the riots wore on, and at least four people were killed in the rampage.

Arroyo said the police exercised as much restraint as possible but Savedia, in particular, when he found himself in the midst of the protests.

"God rewarded him and let him live," Arroyo said of Savedia. Savedia's story made headlines on Wednesday, a day after the violence.

Slumped to the ground

Video footage of him slumped on the ground, surrounded by a mob of rioters armed with rocks, was shown repeatedly on television.

Filippinos reacted with both pity and rage after seeing Savedia -- who had his finger on the trigger of his pistol -- refuse to fire on the crowd.

"We were posted at Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard in Sta. Mesa. Other supporters were riding a truck. I was certain they came from San Juan. We decided to scamper away to avoid confrontation," Savedia said.

Police and military personnel resorted to throwing rocks back at rioters

However, a stone thrown by a demonstrator had hit his foot and disabled the officer long enough for the crowd to move in. Savedia recalled he pulled his gun to discourage them from coming closer, but instead the crowd became more agitated.

"I could have easily killed them," he said. "But I was thinking, they are not my enemies. They were just following orders. So what I did was just to close my eyes and let them attack me."

When the beating began, Savedia said his body seemed to have been paralyzed because he could not feel the succeeding blows.

'I fell unconscious'

"I was beaten, kicked, hit black and blue until I fell unconscious by the heavy pole that hit my back," Savedia continued.

Arroyo paid Savedia a surprise visit after his release from hospital.

He was given a spot promotion and 50,000 pesos ($988), as well as the "gun of his choice," to replace the .357 Magnum taken from him in the attack.

President Arroyo also made a surprise visit to Camp Crame Wednesday night to express her gratitude to the policemen for defending Malacanang, the presidential palace.

She awarded the men the Presidential Unit Citation Badge and commended them for exercising "mega tolerance" despite the imminent danger to their lives.

A total of 46 policemen were wounded in action in the defense of the palace. Hit by shotgun pellets, clubs or hit by rocks and other debris, they are now confined at hospitals in Manila.

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Office of the Press Secretary, the Philippines

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